Can Vitex cause itchy rash??

[ThroughWithBlue]

I took Vitex a few months ago for about 10 days 2x day and didn't notice this. I've been taking it 2x day for 2 days now, this being my third day and yesterday night a rash started on my rear end of all places, now its on my upper thigh, calf, elbow and arms and now my back is starting to itch. Has this happened to anyone else? I haven't started doing anything new or any new products or clothes. It has to be Vitex. Ahh!! I know I should probably stop taking it, but I want my hormones to level out so maybe I can ovulate on my own. Advice? I didn't know if herbal supps can cause rashes.

ETA I searched on google and found some site wehre some girl got rashes also, but she didn't know if it was the Vitex or not and someone mentioned black cohosh does the same thing, anybody know? Vitex caused me to have my first period in over a year so I know it works. My hormones are all very low so I need something.

[nuthinbutpink]

I would go see a doctor with anything spreading like that.

[Butterfly Spirit]

None of your kids are sick with cold like symptoms or have 5th disease do they.. or slapped cheek syndrome?
If so it could be the Parvo B19 virus.

My first son got parvo/5th disease when he was just a baby.. and I got it after him.

[ThroughWithBlue]

No, nobody is sick. This happened literally 1 1/2 days after starting Vitex. It's really weird. I think I may try stopping it for a day or two and see if it helps. I've had one reaction from some medicine once before and it was just like this. It's so weird! Maybe it's a coincidence!

[Butterfly Spirit]

No, nobody is sick. This happened literally 1 1/2 days after starting Vitex. It's really weird. I think I may try stopping it for a day or two and see if it helps. I've had one reaction from some medicine once before and it was just like this. It's so weird! Maybe it's a coincidence!

I hope you find the answer hon, I'm sorry
When I started Vitex I got a horrible headache for one day and then it subsided.
I think it's a powerful fertility herb that starts doing things right away!

Oh I also wanted to throw in there that I've heard it can cause Acne.

[BeadinMom]

If you want to know if its an allergic reaction, take Benadryl & see if it goes away.
Did you change laundry detergent or body wash, lotion - anything like that recently?
Hope you find relief soon!
I'm sure Atomic will have some other ideas for you if it does turn out to be the Vitex.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes, please stop taking it immediately. It's possible to be allergic to anything and also possible to develop an allergy even to something you've been exposed to many times before.

It's not that vitex causes rashes (some herbal supps like St. John's Wort DO cause rashes) it's that you personally are allergic to either the vitex or some component in the pills and are having an allergic reaction to it. The more you take it, the worse the reaction will get and you run the risk of sending yourself into anaphylactic shock if you continue.

[atomic sagebrush]

If you want to know if its an allergic reaction, take Benadryl & see if it goes away.
Did you change laundry detergent or body wash, lotion - anything like that recently?
Hope you find relief soon!
I'm sure Atomic will have some other ideas for you if it does turn out to be the Vitex.

The problem is, with rash-type allergic reactions, Benadryl doesn't always make it go away. Sometimes it can take weeks to clear up and you may need a short course of steroids. So you can't just rely on Benadryl to test the allergy theory.

It does sound to me like an allergic reaction, best to stop. If you're sensi to one medication, you're more likely to be sensi to others.

[ThroughWithBlue]

Thanks everyone. No, I haven't used anything new. I stopped taking it last night and this morning the little splotches are still there where I kept itching it yesterday, I couldn't help it itched so badly. but it's not spreading anymore! It's so strange as this didn't happen last time.

[ThroughWithBlue]

Is tehre another option to Vitex that works just as good? Or should I just try to retake in a few weeks to a month from now? The only thing I can think of is maybe on Monday something on my yoga mat irritated me that's really the only thing I've done I've been at home the rest of the week. I got there late and didn't wipe it down before the class. That or vitex who knows!!